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The Menocht Loop #4
The Samsara Crucible
Ian Dunai thought he was powerless.
He’s not alone: only a small percent of the population have high enough affinities to perform magic. But in the eyes of his father’s gifted family, Ian’s impotence is a disgrace—and the stain of his mother’s common blood.
But on one fateful day, Ian awakens not in his college dorm but in the middle of the ocean on an old dinghy. Reaching land is the least of his problems as he encounters risen skeletons, tortured captives, and a shoreside city in the throes of contagion.
Ian doesn’t last very long without magic. But death isn’t the end: Ian wakes back up on the dinghy and relives the day again...and again...and again.
As Ian investigates the purpose of the loop and a way to escape, he begins to realize that he might be more powerful than anyone—especially himself—ever imagined.
He’s not alone: only a small percent of the population have high enough affinities to perform magic. But in the eyes of his father’s gifted family, Ian’s impotence is a disgrace—and the stain of his mother’s common blood.
But on one fateful day, Ian awakens not in his college dorm but in the middle of the ocean on an old dinghy. Reaching land is the least of his problems as he encounters risen skeletons, tortured captives, and a shoreside city in the throes of contagion.
Ian doesn’t last very long without magic. But death isn’t the end: Ian wakes back up on the dinghy and relives the day again...and again...and again.
As Ian investigates the purpose of the loop and a way to escape, he begins to realize that he might be more powerful than anyone—especially himself—ever imagined.
Unknown Binding
First published September 20, 2022
155 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Lorne Ryburn
8 books73 followersLorne (also known online as caerulex) is an avid reader who strives to write the kinds of stories she would like to read. Besides web serials, her favorite series tend toward grimdark fantasy, such as The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence and The Acts of Caine by Matthew Woodring Stover. The Menocht Loop is her second book series, which she began after publishing Apex Predator as an online web serial.
When she isn’t writing, Lorne enjoys time spent with loved ones and traveling the world. She spends her days as an AI/machine learning software engineer.
When she isn’t writing, Lorne enjoys time spent with loved ones and traveling the world. She spends her days as an AI/machine learning software engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2023
This book is so bad! So bad!
Book one was nice, intriguing, some twists, and some good prose.
Second book started deteriorating
So did book 3, but more pronounced
Now book 4…. Absolutely trash!
Don’t even know where to begin…
1. Ascendants and mortals don’t seem too different- what makes them different basically is that their souls are ascendant so they can re animate from the Amber (where their real bodies remain. How do I say they are the same as mortals? Because Maria (the Eldermari) also managed to ascend (without her soul being ready) and yet managed to wield the same energy (blue) that the immortals use. Only difference is her body could be permanently destroyed and her soul unhinged (something that, say, a necromancer could easily solve!)
2. Ian (and Maria) just laze around. There is no direction, no story, no real interest. Now they suddenly HAVE to return to the mortal realm. It is imperative because… someone told them so!
3. They decide to ally with some immortal idiot - but then they try to escape from him (but fail, him being so powerful). So what to do? They surprise attack him - which gains them 2 days time before he resurrects and come back, and they decided it on the spot…
So many other inconsistencies in behavior, in storytelling (multiple pov’s, characters carbon-copy behaviors, non-existing story, boring magic, no progression, filler/filler)
I skipped entire sections where scenery was described in the most boring/non interesting way.
Seems the writer is confused, projecting her (maybe) real life dilemmas into the book.
The MC is a scared, insecure idiot.
He was given by some twist of fate amazing capabilities (Death affinity in the max), but through the entire story up to now (excepting book 1), all he does is animate bones, fly using his bone control, or such…
So boring, uninspired writing, inconsistent, unfounded.
it’s a WASTE OF TIME!
Book one was nice, intriguing, some twists, and some good prose.
Second book started deteriorating
So did book 3, but more pronounced
Now book 4…. Absolutely trash!
Don’t even know where to begin…
1. Ascendants and mortals don’t seem too different- what makes them different basically is that their souls are ascendant so they can re animate from the Amber (where their real bodies remain. How do I say they are the same as mortals? Because Maria (the Eldermari) also managed to ascend (without her soul being ready) and yet managed to wield the same energy (blue) that the immortals use. Only difference is her body could be permanently destroyed and her soul unhinged (something that, say, a necromancer could easily solve!)
2. Ian (and Maria) just laze around. There is no direction, no story, no real interest. Now they suddenly HAVE to return to the mortal realm. It is imperative because… someone told them so!
3. They decide to ally with some immortal idiot - but then they try to escape from him (but fail, him being so powerful). So what to do? They surprise attack him - which gains them 2 days time before he resurrects and come back, and they decided it on the spot…
So many other inconsistencies in behavior, in storytelling (multiple pov’s, characters carbon-copy behaviors, non-existing story, boring magic, no progression, filler/filler)
I skipped entire sections where scenery was described in the most boring/non interesting way.
Seems the writer is confused, projecting her (maybe) real life dilemmas into the book.
The MC is a scared, insecure idiot.
He was given by some twist of fate amazing capabilities (Death affinity in the max), but through the entire story up to now (excepting book 1), all he does is animate bones, fly using his bone control, or such…
So boring, uninspired writing, inconsistent, unfounded.
it’s a WASTE OF TIME!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2022
Y'jeni this was awesome.
God, I can't wait for the next book. Ian did some strong Soul searching and went out of his way to at least address his fears. I liked how the new characters were introduced and I personally like Crystal.
Void Seeker is a greatly complex dude. It was so easy to dislike him until you get context.
God, I can't wait for the next book. Ian did some strong Soul searching and went out of his way to at least address his fears. I liked how the new characters were introduced and I personally like Crystal.
Void Seeker is a greatly complex dude. It was so easy to dislike him until you get context.
October 4, 2022
Best in the series since the first book.
I enjoyed book 1, but was bored by books 2 & 3. Book 4 is a huge improvement and was interesting start to finish.
We find out what happens after someone ascends, and what it means to bring someone along with you. We learn the nature of Eternity and it's a pretty cool concept.
We learn why Ari was so hostile, and why Achemiss was willing to be helpful.
We get to see Ian being creative with his Death magic again! Once again he does weird & unexpected stuff and breaks the "rules" constantly. He's still mopey, but his companions grow closer to smacking the angst out of him every day.
We learn what happened after Ian and Maria left, and see the aftermath of their battle and ascension.
Overall an enjoyable ride. I'm looking forward to Book 5!
I enjoyed book 1, but was bored by books 2 & 3. Book 4 is a huge improvement and was interesting start to finish.
We find out what happens after someone ascends, and what it means to bring someone along with you. We learn the nature of Eternity and it's a pretty cool concept.
We learn why Ari was so hostile, and why Achemiss was willing to be helpful.
We get to see Ian being creative with his Death magic again! Once again he does weird & unexpected stuff and breaks the "rules" constantly. He's still mopey, but his companions grow closer to smacking the angst out of him every day.
We learn what happened after Ian and Maria left, and see the aftermath of their battle and ascension.
Overall an enjoyable ride. I'm looking forward to Book 5!
January 7, 2023
Beautiful
This series has been such a pleasure to read. There were definitely moments I had doubts about the way Ian was going, but I’m super glad I finished this, it’s been a beautiful journey.
10/10, highly recommend.
This series has been such a pleasure to read. There were definitely moments I had doubts about the way Ian was going, but I’m super glad I finished this, it’s been a beautiful journey.
10/10, highly recommend.
May 6, 2024
I won't lie to anyone, this book was incredibly boring compared to the last installation; it felt lost, going around in circles and taking us to irrelevant places/with no actual necessity or greater value added to the story. This book felt a decent bit like filler. I liked some of the character development so don't get me wrong, but the plot moved along so incredibly slowly in this decent sized book.
The Ascendant realm is interesting but it's just felt incredibly lackluster compared to the last three books, the author is incredibly capable at world-building and magic design but this book didn't have any of those aspects. We meet some new characters whom I feel mediocre about, they just aren't that interesting IMO (not bad but yeah just uninteresting) .
This book wasn't bad though and there were some interesting parts i.e mc character growth and the person alongside him as well. Just well... the rest is lacklustre. Will give the next one a try and decide from there.
3.25*
The Ascendant realm is interesting but it's just felt incredibly lackluster compared to the last three books, the author is incredibly capable at world-building and magic design but this book didn't have any of those aspects. We meet some new characters whom I feel mediocre about, they just aren't that interesting IMO (not bad but yeah just uninteresting) .
This book wasn't bad though and there were some interesting parts i.e mc character growth and the person alongside him as well. Just well... the rest is lacklustre. Will give the next one a try and decide from there.
3.25*
March 6, 2023
I didn't particularly like this entry in the series. I felt like it was written as though he hated his main character, constantly putting him up against powerful people with no qualms about torturing him. Then he learns something from said torture and is almost instantly grateful and of a different mind about these horrible monsters masquerading as people because he gets something he wants from them.
They say over and over that he needs to stop bottling up his emotions but how is he supposed to do that when he's written in such a way that he is OK and accepting of whatever misery people put him through so long as he gets a trinket out of this. The "get in touch with your emotions" and soul searching are pretty vapid excuses for explaining away abusive people he associates with
They say over and over that he needs to stop bottling up his emotions but how is he supposed to do that when he's written in such a way that he is OK and accepting of whatever misery people put him through so long as he gets a trinket out of this. The "get in touch with your emotions" and soul searching are pretty vapid excuses for explaining away abusive people he associates with
January 12, 2023
If you liked the first 3, you’ll like this one.
Amazon deleted all of my reviews and they refuse to tell me why. I just needed to vent that somewhere.
Like the title says, if you liked the first 3, you’ll like this one. I’ve been going through these one after the other for the last few days. I’ll be getting the next one, but I think I’ll try another series for a change of pace first.
Amazon deleted all of my reviews and they refuse to tell me why. I just needed to vent that somewhere.
Like the title says, if you liked the first 3, you’ll like this one. I’ve been going through these one after the other for the last few days. I’ll be getting the next one, but I think I’ll try another series for a change of pace first.
February 10, 2023
I had this book for months, and kept putting it off... I really hope my subconscious didn't know something I didn't.
This wasn't bad, but it was weird.
I don't even want to work it out.
I don't know if I will read the sequel . This is far off from what I read and enjoyed in book one, and I don't care much for it.
3/5 Stars
This wasn't bad, but it was weird.
I don't even want to work it out.
I don't know if I will read the sequel . This is far off from what I read and enjoyed in book one, and I don't care much for it.
3/5 Stars
October 28, 2022
Regains the heights of book one.
(Unfortunately it is now supposedly going for an additional two volumes, so I have a bad feeling there is going to be a lot of padding in the next book. Let's hope I'm wrong.)
(Unfortunately it is now supposedly going for an additional two volumes, so I have a bad feeling there is going to be a lot of padding in the next book. Let's hope I'm wrong.)
March 1, 2024
I'd give it 2.5/5.
It's just disjointed and full of plot points that aren't properly explained. But for me the worst part is that nothing significant happens.
We find out what happens when they ascend which is something I was excited for but it's...boring.
It's just disjointed and full of plot points that aren't properly explained. But for me the worst part is that nothing significant happens.
We find out what happens when they ascend which is something I was excited for but it's...boring.
dnf
October 2, 2022This series has gotten really stupid. The first book the pretty good but it just went downhill from there.
October 1, 2023
black ancient
November 9, 2023
Should have just stopped the series after the end of the arc in book 3. Lost complete interest in the characters and nothing in this book kept me hooked. Felt like a slog to try to make it through.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews